Nigeria coach Yusuf banned, fined over payment

Nigeria's football coach Salisu Yusuf [PHOTO: COURTESY]

The Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday said it had banned Super Eagles coach Salisu Yusuf for 12 months and fined him $5,000 (4,300 euros) for receiving cash from undercover journalists posing as agents.

The NFF ethics and fair play committee found Yusuf guilty of accepting $1,000 after he was caught on camera being asked to select two players for the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN). “He is hereby banned for the period of one year, from partaking or involvement or participation in any football-related activity, effective from the date of this decision,” the NFF said.

“He is also fined in the sum of $5,000 to be paid within three months of the date of this decision.”

Yusuf, who denied any wrongdoing, has the option to appeal.

The BBC, which aired the footage, said the report was part of a wider investigation into corruption in African football by the Ghanaian journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

His expose led to the resignation of the head of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi, after he was accused of soliciting bribes and kickbacks.

Yusuf said in response to the BBC in July that the sum was $750, not $1,000, and was a “gift of trivial and symbolic value”, that was acceptable within NFF and FIFA guidelines.